The document outlines a lesson plan for 2nd grade students to learn about clouds. It breaks the students into four groups to research different aspects of clouds: formation, how they stay aloft, color variations, and movement. Each group will use provided links to online resources to research their assigned topic and create 2-5 slides for a class PowerPoint presentation. The groups will then present their slides to teach the class about clouds. The goal is for students to work collaboratively to gather information and share their new understanding of cloud formation and properties.

1. Cloud WebQuest
By: Lindsey McSweeney
Welcome:This lesson focuses on clouds and what a cloud is and how they are formed, how
they stay up in the sky, why some are white/gray/dark gray, and why the clouds move.
 Grade level: 2nd grade
 Curriculum: Science
 Key words: clouds, sky, moving
Introduction: We are contacting you today becausewe have lost all of our
information about clouds here at The Weather Center! We are counting on your
team of meteorologists to help out in this delicate matter. We hope that you will
help in this very importanttask!
Task: Since The Weather Center has lostall of their information on clouds, weare
asking for some specific information. We are in desperate need of detailed
information about what clouds are and how they are formed, how they stay up in
the sky, why someclouds arewhite/gray/dark gray, and why they move. Do you
think you can help us out?
Process: Today we are going to break up into groups to work on each topic of
information. There will be grouping into four groups. Each group will use the
links provided to help along the way. Onceall information is gathered, you will
complete a PowerPointtogether as a class. Each group will have two-fiveslides of
information. Somewhere in your slides, there needs to be a picture related to
your topic. Some groups may have moreslides based on information that was
gathered.
 Group 1: We need you to find out as much information about what a cloud is and how
they are formed. You need to gather pictures to place on your PowerPoint slides as
well. Here are some links to help you.
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-
knows/what-are-clouds-k4.html

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud
http://www.universetoday.com/73198/what-are-clouds-made-of/
 Group 2: We need you to find out how clouds stay up in the sky. Do not forget to
gather pictures for your PowerPoint slides. Here are some links that may be of some
use to you.
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-clouds-float-when/
https://www.highlightskids.com/science-questions/how-do-clouds-stay-
floating-sky
 Group 3: You need to find out why some clouds are white and why some are gray or
dark gray. Pictures need to be gathered online for you to place on your PowerPoint
slides. Here are some links you can use.
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm
http://scienceblogs.com/builtonfacts/2013/04/01/why-are-clouds-white/
http://sci.odu.edu/sci/Scire/05Edition/whitecloud.html
https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-
training/schools/students/clouds
 Group 4: This group needs to find out why clouds move. Try to find a picture that
represents this so you can put it on your PowerPoint slides. Use the links provided
below to help you.
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm
https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-
training/schools/students/clouds

3. EvaluationRubric:
Excellent Good Fair Poor
Group
participation
Student uses
online resources
to gather
information and
share all
information.
+4
Student uses
online resources
to gather
information and
shares most of
the information
gathered.
+3
Student uses
online resources
and shares some
information with
other students in
group.
+2
Student uses
online resources
but does not
share
information with
other students.
+1
Creating
PowerPoint
slides
Student works
well creating
PowerPoint
slides and helps
create them.
Student uses all
accurate
information.
+4
Student works
with others to
complete
PowerPoint
slides. Most of
the information
is accurate.
+3
Student helps
some on creating
the PowerPoint
slides. Some
information is
accurate.
+2
Student does not
work on
PowerPoint
slides with other
students.
+1
Presenting slides
for class
Student works
with group well
on presenting
and talking
about their
slides.
+4
Student works
with group and
helps talk about
most of the
slides.
+3
Student works
with group and
helps talk about
some of the
slides.
+2
Student does not
help talk about
PowerPoint
slides.
+1
Conclusion: You did it! We here at The Weather Center cannot thank you enough for all of
the hard work and dedication you put into gathering all of the information that we needed.
You should be very proud of yourself for all that you did! We now have the information that we
need and will put it in a safe place so that we will not lose it again.
Before we leave you, we want you to think on everything you have learned and how this
information will help you when you look up at the sky. Think about the types of clouds there
are in the sky. What does each cloud mean? What are the names of the clouds in the sky? Are
clouds the reason it rains and snows?
Thank you again for everything! We could not have done this without you!

4. Teacher Page: This website is designed for second grade. This lesson will take roughly three
days to complete. One day for gathering information, one day for creating PowerPoints, and
the final day is presenting the PowerPoint. Students are just being introduced to clouds.
Students have basic knowledge about clouds. They have seen the clouds in the sky, but no
other knowledge is present.
 West Virginia 21st Century Science Content Standards
SC.O.2.3.05- Listen to and be tolerant of different viewpoints while working in
collaborative groups.
SC.O.2.1.04- Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, and creativity by classifying, comparing,
and analyzing natural objects in the environment.
 Here are the websites I helped to gather my information:
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-are-clouds-
k4.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-clouds-float-when/
http://www.universetoday.com/73198/what-are-clouds-made-of/
http://scienceblogs.com/builtonfacts/2013/04/01/why-are-clouds-white/
https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/students/clouds
https://www.highlightskids.com/science-questions/how-do-clouds-stay-floating-sky